Force sending bezel touch interface

ABSTRACT

A handheld device includes an electronic display having an active area for presenting visual content and a bezel disposed around the electronic display. The bezel may have an opening allowing a person to view the active area. The handheld device also includes a force sensing system having a force sensing element that is disposed below an external surface of the bezel. The force sensing system may be configured to a sense a force on the bezel and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the force. The handheld device may further include a processor operable to receive the sensor signal and to execute a function based on the sensor signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a force sensing bezel touchinterface. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure aredirected to a bezel touch interface including force sensing elements andhaptic feedback elements.

BACKGROUND

There are existing electronic devices or computing devices that utilizeforce sensing for detection of user input. Some publications discloseapplications and/or methods for force sensing detection on bezels of theelectronic devices. The applications and/or methods rely on capacitivebased sensing devices to detect the presence of input forces applied onthe external bezels.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,656,393 discloses an electronic device having a displayand a touch sensitive bezel surrounding the display. U.S. Pat. No.7,778,118 discloses a watch device having a touch sensitive userinterface with a sensor positioned within the bezel of the display.United States Patent Publication No. 2010/0265197 discloses a touchscreen display having a display, a touch sensitive overlay disposed onthe display, and a capacitive force sensor. United States PatentPublication No. 2014/0362001 discloses a method for obtaininginformation based on touch detection at bezel edges of electronicdevices with touch sensing capabilities.

Some problems or limitations associated with the aforementioneddisclosures include (i) requiring high-resolution arrangement of forcesensing devices; (ii) the touch sensitive bezels are only capable ofdetecting touch triggers or discrete user inputs on the bezels; and(iii) incompatibility with substantially rigid and electricallyconductive bezels.

Therefore, in order to address or alleviate at least one of theaforementioned problems and/or disadvantages, there is a need to providea force sensing bezel touch interface in which there are at least someimproved features over conventional approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer device with aforce sensing bezel touch interface arranged in accordance with at leastone embodiment described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, and interactive functional control of a computer device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method to perform afunction based on a force value detected via a bezel;

FIG. 4A, FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate physical stack-up topology of anarrangement of multiple force sensing elements and on a bezel of acomputer device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer device with aforce sensing bezel touch interface;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, and interactive control of haptic feedback profile forhaptic feedback elements of a computer device;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method to activate ahaptic output based on a force value detected via a bezel;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate physical topology of the arrangement ofplurality of force sensing elements and haptic feedback elements on abezel of a portable computing device;

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C illustrate an alternative physical stack-uptopology of the arrangement of multiple force sensing elements inmechanical contact with a bezel of a portable computing device; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine in theexample form of a computing device 1000 within which a set ofinstructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed herein, may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of thepresent disclosure are directed to a force sensing bezel touchinterface, in accordance with the drawings in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10. Whileaspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction withthe embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. In thefollowing detailed description, specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However,it will be recognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art,i.e. a skilled person, that the present disclosure may be practicedwithout specific details, and/or with multiple details arising fromcombinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In a number ofinstances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe embodiments of the present disclosure.

A force sensing bezel touch interface is described hereinafter inaccordance with representative or example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer device 100with a force sensing bezel touch interface arranged in accordance withat least one embodiment described herein. The computer device 100 mayinclude a processor-based computing system. The computer device 100 mayinclude memory, a processor, and network communication capabilities.Some examples of the computer device 100 may include a mobile phone, asmartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, aset-top box, a virtual-reality device, or a connected device, etc., orany other device with a bezel 105 and a display 110. The bezel 105 mayinclude a region between an outer perimeter of the computer device 100and the display 110. The bezel 105 may be constructed from any type ofmaterial, such as plastic, metal, composite, etc. The display 110 may beany type of display, such as a backlit display (e.g., Light-emittingdiode (LED)), an electroluminescent display (e.g., organiclight-emitting diode (OLED)), or any other type of display 110.

The computer device 100 may include one or more force sensing elements115. The force sensing elements 115 may be configured to detect force orpressure on the bezel 105. The force sensing elements 115 may beintegrated within the bezel 105 or may be disposed behind the bezel 105.The force or pressure may include a point force at a singular location.Alternatively, the force or pressure may include a moving force that maymove between different locations, such as would be expected with a usergesture (e.g., a slide, swipe). The force sensing element 115 mayinclude a force-sensing resistor. The force-sensing resistor may includea material whose resistance changes when a force or pressure is applied.The force sensing element 115 may also include a piezoelectric forcesensor and/or a capacitive force sensor.

As illustrated the computer device 100 includes six force sensingelements 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, 115 d, 115 e and 115 f. The arrangement ofthe force sensing elements 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, 115 d, 115 e and 115 fon the bezel 105 of the computer device 100 may provide a useradditional benefits as compared to a device without the bezel-basedforce sensing elements. The physical and electronic arrangement of theforce sensing elements 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, 115 d, 115 e and 115 fprovides detection and measurement of an input force profile related touser touch parameters. These user touch parameters include, but are notlimited to, discrete touch points, multi-touch points, and gestures. Thedynamic force detection and measurement is compatible with substantiallyrigid and electrically conductive bezel substrates which may interferewith conventional resistive and capacitive based touch sensing methods.The dynamic force detection and measurement data is computationallyprocessed to provide interactive functional control of the portablecomputing devices, wherein the functions include, but are not limitedto, application switching and document viewing.

In an example, a user may input a force on the bezel 105 using theirhand or finger 120. The user may slide their finger 120 in a downwarddirection 125, which may correspond to a particular function. Thefunction may be based on a type of movement and/or a position of theforce. For example, a screen wake function that turns the display 110 onmay be in a first position (e.g., near force sensing element 115 a). Theuser may press the bezel 105 near the first position, the force sensingelement 115 a may detect the force, a processor may cause the display110 to turn on based on the force detected by the force sensing element115 a. In another example, the user may press the bezel on an upper sideportion of the bezel 105 near force sensing elements 115 d and 115 e (asillustrated). The upper side portion of the bezel 105 may correspond toa volume control function. While maintaining contact with the bezel 105(or while applying a relatively constant force), the user may slidetheir finger 120 upward to increase the volume and downward to decreasethe volume. Any number of force sensing elements may be used in anyposition and for any function or combination of functions.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow 200 of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, and interactive functional control of a computer device. Asillustrated any number of forces 205 may be detected, such as by one ormore force sensing elements. A processor 210 may receive the forces 205and determine a function for the forces 205. For example, multipleforces may correspond to a single function. In another example, a firstmeasured force 205 a may correspond to a first interactive function 215a. In the implementation flow, the functions include, but are notlimited to, application switching, audio/visual controls, displaycontrols, document viewing, or any other function that may be usefulwith a computer device. Computational processing of dynamic forcedetection and measurement data from each force sensing element is or canbe used to determine discrete touch points, multi-touch points, orgestures.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 300 to perform afunction based on a force value detected via a bezel. The method 300 maybe performed, at least in part, by processing logic in a computerdevice, such as the computer device 100 of FIG. 1.

The method 300 may begin at block 305, where the processing logic maydetect a force via a bezel (e.g., the bezel 105 of FIG. 1). The forcemay be detected using a force sensing element, as described herein.

At block 310, the processing logic may measure the force detected atblock 305. In some embodiments, the processing logic may detect amagnitude and a direction of the force. The processing logic may alsodetermine a position of the force on the bezel. For example, theprocessing logic may determine the position of the force on the bezelwith respect to a coordinate system.

At block 315, the processing logic may compute force sensing data todetermine whether the detected force corresponds to an availablefunction. For example, the processing logic may perform a computation onraw data received from one or more force sensing elements. For example,the processing logic may determine a location, a magnitude and/or adirection for the force based on the raw data. Further, the processinglogic may determine a type of user input (e.g., tap, swipe) based on theraw data.

At block 320, the processing logic may analyze the force sensing dataand may determine an output function. For example, the detected forcemay be a swipe from left to right, which may correspond to switchingbetween applications. The processing logic may identify this type ofrelationship between the detected force and a valid and availablefunction, such as by using at least one of the location of the force,magnitude of the force, direction of the force, or type of user input tolookup an available function.

At block 325, the processing logic may active the output function. Forexample, when the detected force corresponds to a function to switchbetween applications, the processing logic may perform the switchbetween applications.

FIG. 4A, FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate physical stack-up topology 400 of anarrangement of multiple force sensing elements 405 a and 405 b on abezel 410 of a computer device. The bezel surface is not limited toco-planarity with adjacent surfaces. Input force applied on an externalbezel surface is transmitted to a force sensing element through aninterposer 415 which may be mechanically coupled between the bezelsurface and force sensing element(s). The bezel 410 may be disposed atleast partially above an electronic display 450. The force sensingelements 405 a and 405 b may be mounted to a housing 425. As illustratedin FIG. 4B, the housing 425 with adjustable mounting screws 430 may beused to provide pre-load force. The mechanical interfacial coupling issubstantially rigid and tolerates a wide range of pre-load force range.In a longitudinal direction, the interposer may include a protrusion 420which may contact one or more force sensing elements. The protrusion 420may physically improve or enhance vertical transmission of input forceapplied on the external bezel surface to the respective force sensingelements. The protrusion 420 also may reduce longitudinal transmissionof transmission of input force applied on the external bezel surface.The distributed arrangement of the force sensing elements providesspatially selective force sensing. FIG. 4C illustrates a differentconfiguration of the interposer 415.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer device 500with a force sensing bezel touch interface arranged in accordance withat least one embodiment described herein. The computer device 500 mayinclude a processor-based computing system and may be similar to thecomputer device 100 of FIG. 1. The computer device 500 may include abezel 505 and a display 510.

The computer device 500 may include one or more force sensing elements515. The force sensing elements 515 may be configured to detect force orpressure on the bezel 505. The force sensing elements 515 may beintegrated within the bezel 505 or may be disposed behind the bezel 505.The force or pressure may include a point force at a singular location.Alternatively, the force or pressure may include a moving force that maymove between different locations, such as would be expected with a usergesture (e.g., a slide, swipe). The force sensing element 515 mayinclude a force-sensing resistor. The force-sensing resistor may includea material whose resistance changes when a force or pressure is applied.The force sensing element 515 may also include a piezoelectric forcesensor and/or a capacitive force sensor.

As illustrated the computer device 500 includes six force sensingelements 515 a, 515 b, 515 c, 515 d, 515 e and 515 f. The arrangement ofthe force sensing elements 515 a, 515 b, 515 c, 515 d, 515 e and 515 fon the bezel 505 of the computer device 500 may provide a useradditional benefits as compared to a device without the bezel-basedforce sensing elements. The physical and electronic arrangement of theforce sensing elements 515 a, 515 b, 515 c, 515 d, 515 e and 515 fprovides detection and measurement of an input force profile related touser touch parameters. These user touch parameters include, but are notlimited to, discrete touch points, multi-touch points, and gestures. Thedynamic force detection and measurement is compatible with substantiallyrigid and electrically conductive bezel substrates which may interferewith conventional resistive and capacitive based touch sensing methods.The dynamic force detection and measurement data is computationallyprocessed to provide interactive functional control of the portablecomputing devices, wherein the functions include, but are not limitedto, application switching and document viewing.

The computer device 500 may include one or more haptic feedback elements530. The haptic feedback elements 530 may be configured to detect forceor pressure on the bezel 505. The haptic feedback elements 530 may beintegrated within the bezel 505 or may be disposed behind the bezel 505.The haptic feedback elements 530 may produce any type of hapticfeedback, such as a vibration, a pulse, a sound, etc.

As illustrated the computer device 500 includes four haptic feedbackelements 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, and 530 d. The arrangement of the hapticfeedback elements 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, and 530 d on the bezel 505 of thecomputer device 500 may provide a user additional benefits as comparedto a device without the bezel-based haptic feedback elements. Thephysical and electronic arrangement of the haptic feedback elements 530a, 530 b, 530 c, and 530 d provides the ability to produce sensoryfeedback to a user of the computer device 500 at various locations ofthe bezel 505.

In an example, a user may input a force on the bezel 505 using theirhand or finger 520. The user may slide their finger 520 in a downwarddirection 525, which may correspond to a particular function. Thefunction may be based on a type of movement and/or a position of theforce. For example, a screen wake function that turns the display 510 onmay be in a first position (e.g., near force sensing element 515 a). Theuser may press the bezel 505 near the first position, the force sensingelement 515 a may detect the force, a processor may cause the display510 to turn on based on the force detected by the force sensing element515 a. Further, the haptic feedback element nearest the first position(e.g., the haptic feedback element 530 c) may provide a haptic response(e.g., a pulse or vibration), which may indicate to the user that theuser activated the function of turning the display 510 on. In anotherexample, the user may press the bezel on an upper side portion of thebezel 505 near force sensing elements 515 d and 515 e (as illustrated).The upper side portion of the bezel 505 may correspond to a volumecontrol function. While maintaining contact with the bezel 505 (or whileapplying a relatively constant force), the user may slide their finger520 upward to increase the volume and downward to decrease the volume.Any number of force sensing elements may be used in any position and forany function or combination of functions. The haptic feedback elementnearest the upper side portion of the bezel 505 (e.g., the hapticfeedback element 530 a) may provide a haptic response (e.g., a pulse orvibration) during some or all of the time in which the user is slidingtheir finger 520, which may indicate to the user that the user isactivating the function of increasing or decreasing the volume.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow 600 of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement, and interactive control of haptic feedback profile forhaptic feedback elements of a computer device. As illustrated any numberof forces 605 may be detected, such as by one or more force sensingelements. A processor 610 may receive the forces 605 and determine ahaptic feedback profile or haptic output for the forces 605. Forexample, multiple forces may correspond to a haptic output. In anotherexample, a first measured force 605 a may correspond to a firstinteractive function 215 a. In the implementation flow, the functionsinclude, but are not limited to, application switching, audio/visualcontrols, display controls, document viewing, or any other function thatmay be useful with a computer device. Computational processing ofdynamic force detection and measurement data from each force sensingelement is or can be used to determine discrete touch points,multi-touch points, or gestures.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 700 to activate ahaptic output based on a force value detected via a bezel. The method700 may be performed, at least in part, by processing logic in acomputer device, such as the computer device 100 of FIG. 1.

The method 700 may begin at block 705, where the processing logic maydetect a force via a bezel (e.g., the bezel 105 of FIG. 1). The forcemay be detected using a force sensing element, as described herein.

At block 710, the processing logic may measure the force detected atblock 705. In some embodiments, the processing logic may detect amagnitude and a direction of the force. The processing logic may alsodetermine a position of the force on the bezel. For example, theprocessing logic may determine the position of the force on the bezelwith respect to a coordinate system.

At block 715, the processing logic may compute force sensing data todetermine whether the detected force corresponds to an available hapticoutput. For example, the processing logic may perform a computation onraw data received from one or more force sensing elements. For example,the processing logic may determine a location, a magnitude and/or adirection for the force based on the raw data. Further, the processinglogic may determine a type of user input (e.g., tap, swipe) based on theraw data.

At block 720, the processing logic may analyze the force sensing dataand may determine an output function. For example, the detected forcemay be a swipe from left to right, which may correspond to switchingbetween applications. The processing logic may identify this type ofrelationship between the detected force and a valid and availablefunction, such as by using at least one of the location of the force,magnitude of the force, direction of the force, or type of user input tolookup an available function.

At block 725, the processing logic may determine a haptic output. Forexample, the detected force may be a swipe from top to bottom, which maycorrespond to turning down a volume. The processing logic may identify arelationship between the detected force and a valid and available hapticoutput, such as by using at least one of the location of the force,magnitude of the force, direction of the force, or type of user input tolookup an available haptic output.

At block 730, the processing logic may active the output function and/orthe haptic output. For example, when the detected force corresponds to afunction to down the volume, the processing logic may turn down thevolume while simultaneously activating the haptic output.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate physical stack-up topologies 800 of anarrangement of multiple force sensing elements 805 and 805 and one ormore haptic feedback elements 840 below a bezel 810 of a computerdevice. The haptic feedback elements 840 are physically arranged toprovide haptic feedback in close physical proximity to the respectiveforce sensing elements 805, while still providing decoupled mechanicalpath between input force application and haptic feedback.

The bezel surface is not limited to co-planarity with adjacent surfaces.Input force applied on an external bezel surface is transmitted to aforce sensing element through an interposer 815 which may bemechanically coupled between the bezel surface and force sensingelement(s). A housing 850 (with adjustable mounting screws) may be usedto provide pre-load force. The mechanical interfacial coupling issubstantially rigid and tolerates a wide range of pre-load force range.In a longitudinal direction, the interposer may include a protrusion 420which may contact one or more force sensing elements. The protrusion 420may physically improve or enhance vertical transmission of input forceapplied on the external bezel surface to the respective force sensingelements. The protrusion 420 also may reduce longitudinal transmissionof transmission of input force applied on the external bezel surface.The distributed arrangement of the force sensing elements providesspatially selective force sensing. The one or more haptic feedbackelements 840 may be mechanically coupled to an internal surface of thebezel such that haptic output provided by the one or more hapticfeedback elements 840 may permeate or transfer through the bezel suchthey the haptic output may be felt by a user who is in contact with thebezel 810.

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C illustrate alternative physical stack-uptopologies of the arrangement of multiple force sensing elements 905 inmechanical contact with a bezel 910 of a portable computing device. Thebezel 910 may be disposed at least partially above an electronic display950. The force sensing elements 905 may be mounted to a housing 925. Asillustrated in FIG. 9B, the housing 925 with adjustable mounting screws930 may be used to provide pre-load force. In this arrangement, aseparate interposer is not needed. The internal surface of the bezel hasprotrusions 920 which physically enhance vertical transmission of inputforce applied on the external bezel surface to the respective forcesensing elements. The protrusions 920 also reduce longitudinaltransmission of transmission of input force applied on the externalbezel surface. The distributed arrangement of the force sensing elements905 provides spatially selective force sensing.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine in theexample form of a computing device 1000 within which a set ofinstructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed herein, may be executed. The computing device 1000 mayinclude a mobile phone, a smart phone, a netbook computer, a rackmountserver, a router computer, a server computer, a personal computer, amainframe computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktopcomputer etc., within which a set of instructions, for causing themachine to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein, maybe executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., networked) to other machines in a LAN, an intranet, an extranet,or the Internet. The machine may operate in the capacity of a servermachine in client-server network environment. The machine may include apersonal computer (PC), a set-top box (STB), a server, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated,the term “machine” may also include any collection of machines thatindividually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructionsto perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The example computing device 1000 includes a processing device (e.g., aprocessor) 1002, a main memory 1004 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flashmemory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM(SDRAM)), a static memory 1006 (e.g., flash memory, static random accessmemory (SRAM)) and a data storage device 1016, which communicate witheach other via a bus 1008.

Processing device 1002 represents one or more general-purpose processingdevices such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like.More particularly, the processing device 1002 may include a complexinstruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction setcomputing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW)microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets orprocessors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Theprocessing device 1002 may also include one or more special-purposeprocessing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signalprocessor (DSP), network processor, or the like. The processing device1002 is configured to execute instructions 1026 for performing theoperations and steps discussed herein.

The computing device 1000 may further include a network interface device1022 which may communicate with a network 1018. The computing device1000 also may include a display device 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device1012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse)and a signal generation device 1020 (e.g., a speaker). In oneimplementation, the display device 1010, the alphanumeric input device1012, and the cursor control device 1014 may be combined into a singlecomponent or device (e.g., an LCD touch screen).

The data storage device 1016 may include a computer-readable storagemedium 1024 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 1026embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein.The instructions 1026 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1004 and/or within the processing device 1002during execution thereof by the computing device 1000, the main memory1004 and the processing device 1002 also constituting computer-readablemedia. The instructions may further be transmitted or received over anetwork 1018 via the network interface device 1022.

While the computer-readable storage medium 1026 is shown in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storagemedium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable storage medium” may also include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any oneor more of the methods of the present disclosure. The term“computer-readable storage medium” may accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical media and magneticmedia.

In one aspect, a handheld device includes an electronic display havingan active area for presenting visual content. The device furtherincludes a bezel disposed around the electronic display, the bezelhaving an opening allowing a person to view the active area. The devicefurther includes a force sensing system having a first force sensingelement that is disposed below an external surface of the bezel, theforce sensing system being configured to a sense a first force on thebezel and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the first force. Thedevice further includes a processor operable to receive the sensorsignal and to execute a function based on the sensor signal.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The electronic display can include an external surface that can besubstantially planar. The bezel can include at least one curved surface.The bezel is disposed around at least two sides of the electronicdisplay. The first force sensing element can be disposed on a first sideof the electronic display, the handheld device can include a secondforce sensing element disposed on a second side of the electronicdisplay. The first side and the second side can be on opposite sides ofthe electronic display. The first force sensing element can beconfigured to sense the first force input. The second force sensingelement can be configured to sense a second force input. The sensorsignal can be generated based on the first force input and the secondforce input. The first force can be intentionally or unintentionallyproduced from a user input. The user input can include touching thebezel. The force sensing system can be configured to detect a firstlocation of the first force on the bezel. The sensor signal can beindicative of the first force and the first location. The force sensingsystem can be configured to detect a third force at a second location onthe bezel. The force sensing system can be configured to generate asecond sensor signal indicative of the third force. A second functioncorresponds to the third force and the second location. The handhelddevice can include a haptic output system having a first haptic elementthat can be disposed below the external surface of the bezel, the hapticoutput system being configured to generate a haptic output. Theprocessor can be further operable to drive the first haptic element togenerate the haptic output based on the function. The haptic output caninclude at least one of a vibration or a pulse. The handheld device caninclude an interposer disposed between an internal surface of the bezeland the first force sensing element, the interposer being configured tomechanically transfer force between the bezel and the first forcesensing element. A first surface of the interposer can include at leastone curve to correspond with at least one curve in the bezel. Theinterposer can include a protrusion being configured to contact thefirst force sensing element. The handheld device can include a housingbeing disposed opposite of the active area of the electronic display.

In one aspect, a handheld device includes an electronic display havingan active area for presenting visual content. The device furtherincludes a bezel disposed around the electronic display, the bezelhaving an opening allowing a person to view the active area. The devicefurther includes a force sensing system having a force sensing elementthat is disposed below an external surface of the bezel, the forcesensing system being configured to a sense a force on the bezel and togenerate a sensor signal indicative of the force. The device furtherincludes a haptic output system having a haptic element that is disposedbelow the external surface of the bezel, the haptic output system beingconfigured to generate a haptic output. The device further includes aprocessor operable to receive the sensor signal, to execute a functionbased on the sensor signal, and to drive the haptic element to generatethe haptic output based on the function.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The electronic display can include an external surface that can besubstantially planar. The bezel can include at least one curved surface.The bezel is disposed around at least two sides of the electronicdisplay. The force sensing element can be disposed on a first side ofthe electronic display, the handheld device can include a second forcesensing element disposed on a second side of the electronic display. Thefirst side and the second side can be on opposite sides of theelectronic display. The second force sensing element can be configuredto sense a second force. The sensor signal can be additionally generatedbased on the second force.

In one aspect, a method includes detecting, by a force sensing element,a force on a bezel that surrounds an electronic display of a handhelddevice. The method further includes computing force sensing data todetermine a user input type based on the force. The user input typeincludes at least one of a touch or a swipe on the bezel. The methodfurther includes determining output function based on the user inputtype. The output function pertains to a computer-based function. Themethod further includes activating the output function via theelectronic display.

Implementations can include any, all, or none of the following features.The method can include providing a haptic output that corresponds to thefunction via the bezel.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is a bezel touchinterface comprising of force sensing elements and haptic feedbackelements. The force sensing elements and haptic feedback elements arephysically and electronically arranged to achieve intuitive userexperience in human-machine interface applications. The physical andelectronic arrangement of force sensing elements provides detection andmeasurement of input force profile related to user touch parameters.These user touch parameters include, but are not limited to, discretetouch points, multi-touch points, and gestures. The dynamic forcedetection and measurement is compatible with substantially rigid andelectrically conductive bezel substrates which interfere withconventional resistive and capacitive based touch sensing methods. Thedynamic force detection and measurement data is computationallyprocessed to provide interactive control of haptic feedback profile andinteractive functional control of electronic devices.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactive bezelinterface with force sensing function comprising: contiguous bezel forexternal input force application; contiguous interposer with protrusionsfor physical transmission of input force; plurality of force sensingelements coupled to the interposer; and housing coupled to the forcesensing elements.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactive bezelinterface with force sensing and haptic feedback functions comprising:contiguous bezel for external input force application; contiguousinterposer with protrusions for physical transmission of input force;plurality of force sensing elements coupled to the interposer; pluralityof haptic feedback elements coupled to the interposer; and housingcoupled to the force sensing elements

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactive bezelinterface with force sensing function comprising: contiguous bezel withprotrusions for external input force application; contiguous pluralityof force sensing elements coupled to the bezel; and housing coupled tothe force sensing elements.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactive bezelinterface with force sensing and haptic feedback functions comprising:contiguous bezel with protrusions for external input force application;plurality of force sensing elements coupled to the bezel; plurality ofhaptic feedback elements coupled to the bezel; and housing coupled tothe force sensing elements and haptic feedback elements In embodimentsof the present disclosure, there is an interactive human-machineinterface comprising contiguous bezel with protrusions for externalinput force application; plurality of force sensing elements coupled tothe bezel; plurality of haptic feedback elements coupled to the bezel;and housing coupled to the force sensing elements and haptic feedbackelements.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactivehuman-machine interface comprising dynamic force detection andmeasurement; computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement; detection and measurement of input force profile related touser touch parameters; and interactive functional control of electronicdevices.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an interactivehuman-machine interface comprising dynamic force detection andmeasurement; computational processing of dynamic force detection andmeasurement; detection and measurement of input force profile related touser touch parameters; interactive functional control of electronicdevices; and interactive control of haptic feedback profile.

An advantage of the present disclosure is that the bezel interface usesa plurality of force sensing elements which provide for dynamic forcedetection and measurement. Another advantage is that the computationalprocessing of the dynamic force detection and measurement data from eachforce sensing element can be used to determine discrete touch points,multi-touch points, and/or gestures.

A force sensing touch bezel interface according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure is thus disclosed hereinabove. Variousfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description of the embodimentsof the present disclosure, by way of non-limiting examples only, alongwith the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent likecomponents.

The force sensing elements described hereinabove include force sensingmaterials for detecting force or pressure displacements caused by userinputs thereon. As readily understood by the skilled person, force isassociated with pressure and area. Thus, it would be apparent to theskilled person that the force sensing elements and other force-relatedcomponents may also be interpreted as being pressure sensitive orpressure sensing. The force sensing elements are configured fordetecting force and/or pressure from the user inputs, as compared toconventional sensors that utilize resistive and/or capacitivetechniques. Conventional resistive and/or capacitive techniques are notcapable of dynamic force detection and measurement. Various firmwareand/or software algorithms may be implemented, as known to the skilledperson, for converting the user inputs on the force sensing materials toinput signals for the electronic or computing device.

In several embodiments of the present disclosure, the force sensingtouch bezel interface may be implemented or integrated in variousproducts or in existing products. An example of an application of thebezel interface is for providing human-machine interface control incomputing devices. These computing devices include, but are not limitedto, portable electronic devices and/or automotive consoles. Otherexamples or applications of the bezel interface are in the form wearabledevices that can be worn or conveniently carried by users.

In the foregoing detailed description, embodiments of the presentdisclosure in relation to a force sensing bezel touch interface aredescribed with reference to the provided figures. The description of thevarious embodiments herein is not intended to call out or be limitedonly to specific or particular representations of the presentdisclosure, but merely to illustrate non-limiting examples of thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure serves to address at least some of the mentionedproblems and issues associated with the prior art. Although only someembodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, it will beapparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure that a variety of changes and/or modifications can be made tothe disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

In the present disclosure, depiction of a given element or considerationor use of a particular element number in a particular FIG. or areference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompassthe same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element numberidentified in another FIG. or descriptive material associated therewith.The use of “/” in a FIG. or associated text is understood to mean“and/or” unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particularnumerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be arecitation of an approximate numerical value or value range, forinstance, within +/−20%, +/−15%, +/−10%, +/−5%, or +/−0%. With respectto recitations herein directed to dimensional or numerical comparisonsor equivalence, reference to the terms “generally,” “approximately,” or“substantially” is understood as falling within +/−20%, +/−15%, +/−10%,+/−5%, or +/−0% of a representative/example comparison, or a specifiedor target value or value range; and reference to the term “essentially”is understood as falling within +/−10%, +/−5%, +/−2%, +/−1%, or +/−0% ofa representative/example comparison, or a specified or target value orvalue range.

As used herein, the term “set” corresponds to or is defined as anon-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits acardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set as defined herein can correspondto a unit, singlet, or single element set, or a multiple element set),in accordance with known mathematical definitions (for instance, in amanner corresponding to that described in An Introduction toMathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets, and Functions, “Chapter 11:Properties of Finite Sets” (e.g., as indicated on p. 140), by Peter J.Eccles, Cambridge University Press (1998)). In general, an element of aset can include or be a system, an apparatus, a device, a structure, anobject, a process, a physical parameter, or a value depending upon thetype of set under consideration.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A handheld device, comprising: anelectronic display having an active area for presenting visual content;a bezel disposed around the electronic display, the bezel having anopening allowing a person to view the active area; a force sensingsystem having a first force sensing element that is disposed below anexternal surface of the bezel, the force sensing system being configuredto sense a first force on the bezel and to generate a sensor signalindicative of the first force; a processor operable to receive thesensor signal and to execute a function based on the sensor signal; andan interposer disposed between an internal surface of the bezel and thefirst force sensing element, the interposer being configured tomechanically transfer force between the bezel and the first forcesensing element, wherein a first surface of the interposer includes atleast one curve to correspond with at least one curve in the bezel,wherein the interposer includes a protrusion being configured to contactthe first force sensing element.
 2. The handheld device of claim 1,wherein the electronic display comprises an external surface that issubstantially planar, wherein the bezel includes at least one curvedsurface.
 3. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the bezel isdisposed around at least two sides of the electronic display.
 4. Thehandheld device of claim 1, wherein the first force sensing element isdisposed on a first side of the electronic display, the handheld devicecomprising a second force sensing element disposed on a second side ofthe electronic display, wherein the first side and the second side areon opposite sides of the electronic display.
 5. The handheld device ofclaim 4, wherein the first force sensing element is configured to sensethe first force, wherein the second force sensing element is configuredto sense a second force, wherein the sensor signal is generated based onthe first force and the second force.
 6. The handheld device of claim 1,wherein the first force is produced from a user input, wherein the userinput includes touching the bezel.
 7. The handheld device of claim 1,wherein the force sensing system is configured to detect a firstlocation of the first force on the bezel, wherein the sensor signal isindicative of the first force and the first location.
 8. The handhelddevice of claim 7, wherein the force sensing system is configured todetect a third force at a second location on the bezel, wherein theforce sensing system is configured to generate a second sensor signalindicative of the third force, wherein a second function corresponds tothe third force and the second location.
 9. The handheld device of claim1 further comprising a haptic output system having a first hapticelement that is disposed below the external surface of the bezel, thehaptic output system being configured to generate a haptic output,wherein the processor is further operable to drive the first hapticelement to generate the haptic output based on the function.
 10. Thehandheld device of claim 9, wherein the haptic output comprises at leastone of a vibration or a pulse.
 11. The handheld device of claim 1further comprising a housing being disposed opposite of the active areaof the electronic display.
 12. A handheld device, comprising: anelectronic display having an active area for presenting visual content;a bezel disposed around the electronic display, the bezel having anopening allowing a person to view the active area; a force sensingsystem having a force sensing element that is disposed below an externalsurface of the bezel, the force sensing system being configured to asense a force on the bezel and to generate a sensor signal indicative ofthe force; a haptic output system having a haptic element that isdisposed below the external surface of the bezel, the haptic outputsystem being configured to generate a haptic output; a processoroperable to receive the sensor signal, to execute a function based onthe sensor signal, and to drive the haptic element to generate thehaptic output based on the function; and an interposer disposed betweenan internal surface of the bezel and the first force sensing element,the interposer being configured to mechanically transfer force betweenthe bezel and the first force sensing element, wherein a first surfaceof the interposer includes at least one curve to correspond with atleast one curve in the bezel, wherein the interposer includes aprotrusion being configured to contact the first force sensing element.13. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein the electronic displaycomprises an external surface that is substantially planar, wherein thebezel includes at least one curved surface.
 14. The handheld device ofclaim 12, wherein the bezel is disposed around at least two sides of theelectronic display.
 15. The handheld device of claim 12, wherein theforce sensing element is disposed on a first side of the electronicdisplay, the handheld device comprising a second force sensing elementdisposed on a second side of the electronic display, wherein the firstside and the second side are on opposite sides of the electronicdisplay.
 16. The handheld device of claim 15, wherein the second forcesensing element is configured to sense a second force, wherein thesensor signal is additionally generated based on the second force.